Store owner nabbed second time in synthetic drug bust

Antwan Khalil, 36, of Antioch, owner of the store, was arrested on charges of Possession and Sale of Illegal Synthetic Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

In all, 14 packs of state banned, illegal synthetic drugs, other drug paraphernalia and cash were seized from the store. Bowen said this time, the items were not under the counter but on his person.

I guess he didnt learn his lesson, Bowen said. Its just unbelievable that we cited him earlier this month and he turned around and was selling it again.

Bowen noted the warrant was obtained after the LPD Patrol Division made a stop and arrest on a subject who had allegedly purchased synthetic drugs at the Discount Tobacco and Beer store.

They started talking to him and the suspect told officers exactly where he bought it, Bowen said.

On March 7, a search warrant was executed by the LPDs Narcotics Unit and the TBI at Discount Tobacco and Beer, seizing 86 packets of state banned, illegal synthetic drugs and 30 packets of city ordinance banned illegal synthetic drugs, other paraphernalia and cash.

Synthetic drugs have become more popular with teenagers and young adults and has hospitalized numerous people in the Lebanon area, Bowen said, adding that kids have died from synthetic drug use across the country.

He indicated the LPD would be seeking advice from the District Attorneys Office and City Attorney Andy Wright regarding further ramifications for storeowners who continue to sell synthetic drugs.

Bowen said they were going to look into whether hes claiming the synthetic drugs sales as income on Khalils taxes and possibly into suspending his beer license. Bowen said there are provisions in the city charter about not committing crimes in order to possess a beer license.

We are going to go after whatever we can to make him stop selling this stuff, Bowen said.

Khalil was set to appear in General Sessions Court on June 12 for his charges stemming from the March 7 incident and is expected to appear in court on June 5 for the current charges.